Eurolanche

Buyout Market

 I have said it before and will say it again this year’s free agent class is not the best. But there is a possible solution to that. The two get out of jail free cards every NHL team in the form of buyouts could make things interesting. I mean in every case a team who uses the buyouts are on under preforming players with big cap hits.

In the Avs case the biggest name for a buyout is David Jones. 4 million a year for a very streaky performer who at times looks like he just doesn’t care about the team anymore. That is not the case for all buyouts some are more based on cap needs. Yes they will still have to do with performance to pay ratio. This doesn’t mean a bought out player is a bad player.

If every team only buys out one player that is still 30 more guys added to the free agent pool. This makes things more interesting in a number of ways. First off it purely just adds numbers to the pool. More numbers means more choices and hopefully less chance of over paying just to get what is there. It adds more storylines to what could be a dull free agent frenzy. As well you may just get a good serviceable guy at a bargain price because he needs to prove himself. We have all seen how playing for a new contract can motivate players. Think about how playing for your career could motivate these guys.

Look at Redden and Gomez who got bought out this year. Both guys found new teams and were serviceable guys this year. No they were not super star guys like they used to be. They did provide a strong veteran presence to their teams. As well they proved they can still play the game at the NHL level.

I think the Avs would be smart to not only use both buyouts this offseason. As well they should go after a bought out free agent. Who is going to play to prove they are worth a second chance. Bring in someone who will have the fire to win and make their old team regret giving up on them. Not just some free agent looking for a big pay day and lots of years to secure their future. I think the Avs need players who are hungry. A hunger to play this game and win is what they need. Fewer guys focused on vacations and paydays.

Now it is hard to speculate who exactly could end up being bought out this summer. So far the only sure fire names I have heard are Ilya Bryzgalov and Daniel Briere. This is only because the Flyers seem to ignore the cap completely every year when they sign new players. Which goes to show all those people demanding the Avs pay big bucks and go up to the cap limit every year. Look at the Flyers finished 10^th in the east this year maxed out. High spending doesn’t equal wins. Smart spending does and I think a bought out guy might be a smart buy.